Knitting needle, chiefly adapted for the restoration of meshes



April e. c. ALRIC 2,240,152

FLY ADAPTED FOR THE RESTORATIQN- OF MESHES Filed Inlay 12, 198! 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 KNITTING NEEDLE, CH IE GUSTAVE CHARLES Am 1c cs. 6. ALRIC 2,240,152

KNITTING NEEDLE, CHIEFLY ADAPTEL FOR THE RESTORATION OF MESHES April 29, 1941.

Filed lay 12,1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 GUSTAVE CHARLES ALRIC April 29, 1941. ca. c. ALRlC 2,240,152 KNITTING NEEDLE, CHIEFLY ADAPTED FOR THE RESTORATION OF MESHES Filed lay 12, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet s ousnwa CHARLES ALRIC Patented Apr. 29, 1941 KNITTING NEEDLE; CHIEFLY ADAPTED FOR THE RESTORATION F MESHES Gustave Charles Alric, Troyes, France, assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Vitos Company, New York, N. Y.

Application May '12-, 1937, Serial Nb.'142,241

In France May 20, 1936 Claims; (01. 66-117) The present invention relates to a knittingneedle which is chiefly adapted for the restoration of meshes, the said needle being distinguished by its great simplicity, its reliable operation and its ready use. 5

The said needle is chiefly characterized by the fact that it comprises a pivoted plate whose pivoting axle is at a short distance from the open end of the hook, the said plate being suitably arranged in order that it may entirely disappear in its support when in the open position.

The said plate is brought out of the body of the needle at the proper time by a catch which is provided upon the plate, or on an accessory piece, on the proper side of the needle, and is actuated during the rising stroke by the preceding mesh which surrounds the body of the needle. The plate is thus brought into the position of contact, and it can thus be caught and raised by the mesh, then terminating its action according to the known method for needles provided with plates.

The plate is advantageously provided with'an appendage which furthers the rising movement of the plate, and is maintained by the msh'in the disappearing position during the rise of the strand.

When the plate is raised by a special member, this latter preferably consists of a rear plate which projects slightly from the support, so that it may be lifted by the catching of the preced ing loop during the return stroke; thissame pro jection, or another, can possibly aid in the rising movement caused by the escape of the mesh, by

bringing the said lifting piece into the catching position during the forward stroke for the insertion. j

Further characteristics of the invention will be set forth in the following description, with refer; ence to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a first form of construction of a needle for restoring the meshes, in conformity withthe invention, in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan view.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, in the closed position.

Figs. 4 to 8 show the position of the needle in the different stages of the formation of a mesh.

Figs. 9 to 11 show modifications in detail.

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of another construction, in the open position.

Fig. 13 is a corresponding view in the closed position.

Figs. 14 to 16 show the position of the needle in the different stages of the formation of a mesh.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment represented in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a needle 1 comprising a shank having a hook 2 formed at one end thereof. In the said needle is a slot 3 formed in the direction of its length and serving as a guide for a .plate 4 which is pivoted on a small axle 5.

The said plate co-operates with the hook 2 and with a rear plate 6 which is also guided in the slot and turns upon a small axle 1. The rear plate is provided with a small projection or catch 8, and has a lightextended part 9. The movements of the rear plate are limited by two stops l0 and H which may consist of bent parts of the thin Walls of the needle. I

The operation is as follows:

Referring to Fig. 4, two entire loops are shown at l2-I3, followed by a loop I4 which is ready to leave the mesh, and by three strands 15 to H which have already become separated and are to be replaced. After stretching the piece of hosiery upon a suitable hollow support, the needle is inserted in the direction of the arrow 1 (Fig. 4) between the loop I3 and the loop Id. The needle is now in the open position, with the plate entirely withdrawn into the support formed by the needle, and only the catch 8 of the rear plate projects below the support. The needle is sufiiciently inserted in order that the loop or mesh l4 shall be clearly in the rear of the plate (Fig. 5). The needle is then drawn to the rear (Fig. 6, arrow 1), thus drawing the next strand l5 into the hook 2. The catch 8 will now hook upon the loop l3, thus turning the rear plate which rises and thus turns the plate 4, which now closes the hook (Fig. 6). The loop M will thus pass above the plate and the book. It now drops from the needle, thus forming the mesh (Fig. 7).

During the movement of insertion in order to seize the strand IS, the strand l5, which has now become a mesh, raises the plate 4 (Fig. 8); this latter makes contact with the rear plate, thus bringing the catch 8 into the hooking position, this being also facilitated by the friction of the separated mesh M. The needle is again in its initial position (Fig. 5).

It will be observed that the size of the plate (and also of the rear plate) and especially the height, is extremely small, and thus they can be withdrawn into the support formed by the needle. 0n the other hand, the plate projects permits opening and closing movements which are sufliciently rapid and strokes which are sufficiently short, in order that the work of knitting, and especially the restoration of meshes, shall be practically possible, this having been hitherto considered as difiicult with the needles provided with plates.

On the contrary, the tests which have been made with the needle according to the invention have proved to be entirely satisfactory, in spite of the fact that the needles according to the invention are greatly simplified as compared with the needles provided with a sliding or pivoted bar, such as are employed at present.

Figs. 12 and 13 represent a form of the present invention in which is shown a needle I having a hook 2 formed at the end thereof and having a longitudinal slot serving as a guide for plate 24 which is pivoted on a small axle 5. Said plate 24 is formed with an appendage 22 extending therefrom. Said appendage 22 forms at its connection with plate 24 a catch 23 and upon the side of said appendage 22 opposite to catch 23 is formed the projection 28 which extends below needle I when the plate 24 and appendage 22 are positioned within the longitudinal slot of needle i. As in the former modifications of the present invention, plate 24 is shaped to contact the end of hook 2 for at times closing the same.

The operation is as follows:

When the needle is withdrawn from the tissue (Fig. 14) after its insertion, the strand is raised by the hook 2 into the position herein represented; at this time, the mesh I4 is engaged upon the appendage 22, thus holding the needle in the disappearing position and preventing the strand from hooking upon the said catch of the plate. This affords a most reliable working, and prevents the false movements which take place when the needles provided with plates are employed for this purpose. In fact, it is certain that in spite of all the disturbing causes, such as vibration, incomplete or displaced stroke, the appendage will disappear during the passage of the strand.

As the withdrawing movement continues in the direction of the arrow f", the mesh it pushes against the catch 28 of the appendage, and raises this latter, which drives the strand into the hook 2, during the rising movement (Fig.

The stitch is then engaged with the catch 23 of the plate, and the latter will thus turn upon its axle 5, hence closing the hook 2 and enclosin the strand (Fig. 16). During this closing movement of the plate, the mesh is raised, and it passes in the rear of the hook 2.

At this time, the needle is again inserted, and the strand I5, which is about to form a mesh, lowers the plate to the rear, this movement being furthered by the presence of the appendage 22, owing to its inertia and to its possible contact with the tissue.

As will be observed, this second construction is still more simple than the first. It should be remarked that it provides for a work which is quite as rapid, as the operative part of the plate support, which is very favourable to the invisibility of the work.

Obviously, the simple forms of construction herein described and represented are given solely bywayof example, and it is possible, without departing from the principle of the invention, to

modify in any suitable manner, the number, shape, 1 character, arrangement and assembling of the several parts. For instance, the rear plate 6 may be replaced by a like raising member, such as a pivoted bar l8, guided by a slot l9 upon an axle 20. A spring 2| (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) may be provided for the bar It, the rear plate 6, and/or the plate 4, in order to ensure or to facilitate the return of the parts into the initial position and to prevent the displacement of the parts by vibrations at high speed. The needle may be mounted on a handle (not shown) and may be given an alternate movement, automatic or not. In like manner, it may be mounted on a knitting machine of any type, whether straight or circular.

I claim:

1. A knitting needle particularly adapted for the restoration of meshes, comprising a shank having a hook formed on one end thereof, said shank having a longitudinal slot formed therethrough, a plate pivotally mounted within said longitudinal slot capable of closing the entrance of said hook, an appendage formed with and extending from said plate and said appendage having a projection formed therewith for contacting one of the meshes and imparting a pivotal motion to said plate thereby.

2. A knitting needle particularly adapted for I the restoration of meshes, comprising a shank having a hook formed'on one end thereof, a plate having a pair of joined members and being pivotally mounted on said shank, the first of said members being capable of closing the entrance of said hook, the second of said members having a projection formed therewith for contacting a mesh and imparting a pivotal motion to said second member thereby and said first and second members forming a hook in one side of said plate having its lower face level with the top outer side of said hook.

3. A knitting needle particularly adapted for the restoration of meshes comprising a shank having a hook formed at one end thereof, said shank having a longitudinal slot formed therethrough, a plate pivotally mounted within said opening, said plate having a portion thereof capable of closing said hook, means connected to said (plate on the side of said plate opposite to said hook and being capable of imparting a pivotal movement to said plate upon movement of the means and a portion of said means adapted to extend beyond said slot from the side of said shank opposite said hook to engage threads of said meshes upon that side in order to impart a movement to saidmeans.

4. A knitting needle particularly adapted for the restoration of meshes comprising a shank having a hook formed at one end thereof, said shank having a longitudinal slot formed therethrough, a plate pivotally mounted within said slot capable of closing the entrance of said hook, an appendage extending from a side of said plate opposite to said hook and said appendage having a projection carried by a side thereof opposite said plate.

5. A knitting needle particularly adapted for the restoration of meshes comprising a shank having a hook formed at one end thereof, said shank having a longitudinal slot formed there- 10 through, a plate pivotally mounted within said slot capable of closing the entrance of said hook, an append-age extending from a side of said plate opposite to said hook, said plate and appendage being capable of dis-appearing within said slot and said appendage having a projection carried by a side thereof capable of extending from said slot on the side opposite said hook when said appendage is in said disappearing position.

GUSTAVE CHARLES ALRIC. 

